A wife’s decision to join a Self-Help Group has enabled her husband to make a full recovery after he contracted a serious illness. Tadelech Dana’s regular attendance at a women’s savings group in the Wolaita Zone of Ethiopia, set up by Hope for Justice, has also equipped her with vital anti-trafficking messaging to protect her family.
Her husband, Gonje, suffered from a serious respiratory condition that was difficult to diagnose and costly to treat. But Tadelech’s attendance and contributions to the group allowed her to financially provide for Gonje’s treatment.
“Before joining the Self-Help Group, I felt alone with the weight of our struggles. But through the group, I found sisters who supported me, trainings that equipped me, and savings that gave me dignity. The Self-Help Group didn’t just help me survive – it gave my family a second chance.”
Tadelech Dana
Tadelech is a proactive member of the Gelila Self-Help Group, which has been running for four years and has 20 female members. She engages in the weekly meetings, where members discuss important issues such as modern slavery and human trafficking, child trafficking, parenting, and other social issues. Members also save small amounts of money on a regular basis. This has become a life-changing habit for many, including Tadelech.
Tadelech, aged 35, and Gonje are parents to a son and two daughters. They live in the Kindo Koysha Woreda. Gonje’s health crisis deeply affected the family’s financial stability and emotional wellbeing. Despite these challenges, Tadelech became a pillar of strength for her family. She ensured her husband received medical care by taking him to the hospital. Through her dedication and care, and with the help of doctors, Gonje was eventually healed. Remarkably, Tadelech covered all the medical expenses herself — a testament to her resourcefulness and unwavering commitment to her loved ones.
Ashenafi Letebo, our Regional MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning) Officer, based in Wolaita Sodo, said: “What made this possible was not only Tadelech’s inner strength, but also the support she found through the Self-Help Group. Tadelech’s journey is one of strength, transformation, and the power of collective action. The Self-Help Group model has not only improved Tadelech’s life — it has helped restore her family’s stability and future. Tadelech’s story is testament to the strength and determination of women in our communities — women who are transforming not only their own lives but also the lives of their families and communities.”
Last week, Gelila Self-Help Group in Kindo Koysha district celebrated its fourth anniversary with a celebration event. Guests from the local authority and representatives from the Ethiopian Government’s Women and Children Affairs office were in attendance.
Tadelech has participated in multiple training sessions run by our team in Ethiopia. These include workshops on how to identify and report modern slavery and human trafficking, positive parenting and basic business skills. These opportunities have empowered her with knowledge and confidence, and are now enabling her to protect her family, support her husband and raise her children with hope and purpose.
